Surgery Nov. 14 and I'm getting cold feet

[Darkangel505 4]

My surgery date has been scheduled for 11/14 and I'm starting to get scared. I am opting for the Sleeve, but I am concerned about GERD. My doc says the majority of those cases he sees are due to eating habits. I am hoping I can avoid that. I still just don't know I am making the right decision. Just really getting cold feet. I was hoping I'd get past this by now.

[Tomo 1,137]

I don't think it can be avoided. Some people get gerd after vsg and others do not. But, people who do get gerd after vsg, it is not their fault. Unavoidable. Of course if you eat right before going to bed, it doesn't help the matter but here is a good link that explains in layman's terms why 35% vsg patients get gerd.
https://sampadocs.com/2019/12/23/reflux-after-gastric-sleeve/

Here is another very recent study if you would like to read it. It goes into the 3 reasons which contributes to gerd post-vsg, one reason is the shape of the sleeve. It is a hot topic now. https://www.jnmjournal.org/journal/view.html?uid=1643&vmd=Full

[KimA-GA 540]

November 3rd for me.. right there with you with nerves and worry about gerd. Got pre op Tuesday and going to ask about it.

[Tomo 1,137]

November 3rd for me.. right there with you with nerves and worry about gerd. Got pre op Tuesday and going to ask about it.

I think you will both be fine, the majority do not get severe gerd.

I just wanted to correct the OP's doctor's statement that it can be avoided through diet. The minority of us who were unlucky and got gerd was not due to a failure on our part but the sleeve itself. Also, when I had my sleeve, it was about 7 years ago and from what I have read, the procedure has evolved some. Maybe discuss this with your surgeons. In the article, scroll down to "what is a perfect SG to prevent gerd". https://nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nyas.14467

[Darkangel505 4]

Ya I was really wondering about his statement. It is so hard to know and so scary. Unfortunately a lot of doctors don't have a lot of sympathy for obese patients.

[Arabesque 6,488]

Actually I managed most of my pre existing reflux through diet for years & only needed to take medication on odd occasions - maybe 5 times a year. I cut out a lot of carbonation, caffeine & rich & spicy food. I still have reflux & it is worse or at least the symptoms are different. It’s manageable with medication which I now take every day (only 20mg) & I still watch what I eat & drink. On the very odd occasion I have a second glass of champagne or a second gin & tonic the reflux is a lot worse. Thankfully that rarely happens because I usually only have a glass & aren’t interested in a second.

Of course post surgery other factors are at play too. Definitely worth discussing further with your surgeon.